CDBG-DR FOR FLORIDA HUD Announces $616 Million CDBG-DR for Florida. On November 28, HUD announced that Florida would receive $615, 922,000 in CDBG-DR. This amount is based on data from FEMA and SBA on the number of seriously damaged homes that lack adequate insurance and businesses that fail to qualify for SBA disaster loans. The… Continue reading

Reminder of Advocacy Opportunity Deadline Extended to Wednesday, November 29 (noon ET) to Join Sign-On Letter. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law extended the deadline to join a sign-on letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson about the urgent need to enter into a strong Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the City of Houston. The… Continue reading

ADVOCACY ALERT Advocates’ Sign-On Letter to HUD. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law have opened a sign-on letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson about the urgent need to enter into a strong Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the City of Houston in order to address violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights… Continue reading

CONGRESS Senators Urging Creation of DHAP. On November 15, a group of 12 Senators sent a letter urging FEMA administrator Brock Long and HUD Secretary Ben Carson to better coordinate recovery housing efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The letter specifically encourages FEMA and HUD to establish a disaster housing assistance program… Continue reading

Congress Tax Reform and Recovery. Local housing groups in Texas and Florida sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan in opposition to the current House Republican tax plan, saying it would hurt disaster recovery efforts. The House tax plan eliminates the tax exemption for private activity bonds (PABs), essentially eliminating 4% Low Income Housing… Continue reading